Journey - Home

Monday, August 25th

Sunday morning, Sara, Heather, Pat & I attended Wheaton Bible Church at their new campus ... BIG church ... a little different from what we're used to at The Journey .... but that's probably good --> stretch us a little bit (especially me!!!)

Christine picked up Emily (Heather's roommate from Maryland) at the airport and they met us at Egg'lectic - a brunch place in Wheaton. It was great to see Em again! Laura will arrive on Monday to complete the foursome.

We said goodbye to Christine and Emily (until Family weekend in November) and took Heather back to her apartment. It was good to know she would have all of her buddies to care for her .... and that she'll be close to her sister. We then took Sara back to Fischer Dorm .... Katey's parents had already left so she was a little teary as well. It was sad to let go of our Sara ... but it is only for a season. God, we know, will protect and comfort her and wrap His loving arms around her when we can't.

At the end of the "Letting Go" service on Saturday night, we sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" ..... it still is ..... the God of hope will fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!!

We left for home, and Willie-Bob, at 2 PM

With Him,
Paul & Pat

Journey - Letting Go

Sunday, August 24th

Saturday began with a meeting of students and parents in Edman for a presentation of Wheaton's multicultural experience - to celebrate all of the cultures and ethnicities at the College while remaining unified as the Body of Christ .... but not uniform!!! Always a funny and yet enlightening presentation!
Heather joined us for a picnic lunch on Blanchard lawn - what a beautiful day!!

Afterwards, Pat, Sara, and I attended a meeting with the Pre-Health Professions advisor. She was very informative and Wheaton seems to have a very good handle on preparing a successful medical school/nursing school applicant.

For dinner, we found a neat sushi restaurant in Bloomingdale and then ....

Sara went to her meeting at Pierce Chapel. Sara's service, we were told by Heather, included each of the new freshman having their feet washed by their RA - what an humbling way to begin your college career.

Pat, Heather, and I attended the "Letting Go" service at Edman Chapel. It included prayer, singing, and sharing from members of the Parent's Council - all who have current students at Wheaton. This is not just a "meeting" however, this is a worship service. 15-20 parents spoke, some tearfully, about how God had lead their family to Wheaton College, their joys and fears, answered prayers for God providing the way for their child to be able to attend. One Daddy choked back tears as he described how, as he watched his daughter pack, it seemed that each box contained a different part of her life that was now leaving. A missionary mom from Nepal proclaimed with tears of joy how God had provided for her son to come to Wheaton .... and how she would not be able to see him again until he graduates four years later. Lastly, a mom bringing her second child to Wheaton described how, when they brought her first child to the College two years ago, the other 4 kids stuffed one of the student's jackets and buckled it into her usual spot in the family car for weeks to ease the transition! She also talked about our purpose for the last 18 years for all these new students - to prepare them to leave home -- as painful as that is -- and to have joy in that part of our (the student's AND parents') journey. All the lessons - learning to walk ... to talk ... to read .... to dress themselves .... to study and learn .... to drive .... to be men and women of faith ... and integrity ... and honesty ... and responsibility .... in short to be children of God .... all was in preparation to enable them to leave -- to become the person that God ALREADY has planned for them to be.

Heather spent the night with us at the hotel ... that was nice ...

Paul, Pat, Heather ..... and Sara

Journey - Take a Risk

Saturday, August 23rd

Friday morning, we continued to move/rearrange/change stuff at Fischer Dorm (SJ) and Terrace Apartments (HJ) which, as always, included several Target runs. We had lunch at Panera and then met with all the Freshman parents and students in Edman chapel for the opening worship session for orientation.

The theme for this year's Freshmen is "Overflow" and the theme verse is from Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

For those at The Journey, you'll recall that this is the verse Pat asked us all to remember right after she was diagnosed with lymphoma in the Fall of 2006 --- when we had taken another Freshman to Wheaton College ......

The upper classmen in the OC (Orientation Committee) composed and performed a song based around the theme verse. As a continued 20-30 year old tradition, Sara's class (2012) will learn that song next week and sing it to the entire student body during "All School" worship and communion next Tuesday night .... the first time the entire "new" student body worships together. This will be "their" class song. Four years later, this very class of 2012 will sing this same song to all the underclassmen in their final chapel together.

Several professors also spoke that afternoon including Dr. Christine Gardner (Communications) who challenged the students to "take a risk" -- initially something pretty scary to parents leaving their 18 year-olds a long way from home! But she challenged them to take a risk with their minds - to use their time at Wheaton to truly worship God with their heart, soul, strength .... AND mind. To take a risk to grow academically as an avenue of worship to God .... not solely as a way to make grades, pass tests, get a degree, graduate, or get into professional school. To unburden your heart of expectations (yours or your parents) to perform for their own glory and be freed to learn for the purpose of glorifying the God of heaven! Pretty good advice .... for all of us .....

That evening, Pat & I attended a Parents' dinner .... we sat with a couple from Michigan named Grace and Jeff who were bringing their first child to Wheaton. Both, especially the mom, had the concerns about leaving their "baby", not being able to talk with him much, not being able to take care of him .... the usuals .... but still all new and all scary for parents .... whether the first time or the fifth time. We really enjoyed sharing with each other about our "Wheaton family" experiences and also enjoyed talking to Dr. Litfin ....

We picked up Sara after all of her "stuff" was finished and hung out at Heather's apartment for a while.

Letting Go service tomorrow ......

Pat and Paul ...... Heather ...... & Sara

Journey - Movin' In

Friday - August 22nd

Move in day for Sara. However, Heather and Papa started the day by getting two new tires put on the Volvo! God TRULY cares for us - Heather reminded me before we left Dothan to check the air in the spare while I was showing her where the jack and stuff were ..... the spare was low! ---- the flat in Chicago was inconvenient but showed us how low the tread was on the back tires .... so now safer for the winter! ---- and trying to find this tire was made easy by Heather's roommate Christine who directed us toward a Firestone that she and her brothers have used for over four years .... confidence!!! God is TRULY good.

Moving Sara into the dorm went very easily. We rearranged the room into the "L-configuration" which seemed to work well for Heath and Christine their Freshman year.

Passing on the Legacy

The "L" .... & headless Papa

Big Sissy cleaning out the fridge
Katey arrived from Honeyrock in the afternoon and the girls (and moms!) quickly started pulling the room into shape. Katey is a very sweet, nice young lady from North Canton, Ohio who is the first child of three sibs to go to college. She is also a pre-med major .... so ---> study buddies!

Katey LePage and Sara

The new chair and Katey's pillow that matches Sara's from home!
Sara and Katey's suitemates are sweet girls who both play sports - Sarah, from Orlando, is on the Volleyball team and Heather, from Indiana, is on Track and Field ----- yes, you didn't read that wrong ..... their suitemates are Heather and Sarah!!

In the afternoon/evening, we helped Heather and Christine organize their apartment - you wouldn't believe that Pat is actually in charge of "Extreme Apartment Makeovers"!! She did a great job!!

Friday, we'll work more on the girls' "homes" and have the first worship service with the students and parents at Edman chapel ....

Paul and Pat ...... Heather ....... & Sara

P.S. - Sara and Heather spent their first nights in those "homes" Thursday .....

Journey - CHI-TOWN

Thursday - August 21st

Wednesday morning, Heather and Sara had their I.D. pictures made and then we all drove into Chicago. First stop was Rush University Hospital and Sara's appointment with the neurologist Dr. Kanner. Had to wait for a while to see him but .... worth it. VERY kind and helpful -- he spent 1 1/2 hours with us and we were all impressed and pleased with his care.

We had lunch at the Bourgeois Pig Cafe - a cool, eclectic sandwich shop in Lincoln Park and then did some shopping in that area.








As we came out to the car to go the the Cubs game, we found a flat tire on the Volvo - but only flat on one side !! ;0}












We had a GREAT time at the Cubs game ..... although they did lose 2-1 to Cincinnati -- ;0(



Great sunset over Wrigley Field!

Move Sara in on Thursday ....

Paul, Pat, Heather, & Sara

Journey - New Apartment

Wednesday - August 20th

We got a kinda late start Tuesday morning - mainly because I was having trouble with Blogger! But .... finally got the first blog posted. Here are some other pics from Paducah -->
PAPA!!

Train Museum

Pretty Sisters

We drove into Wheaton Tuesday afternoon /evening and went straight to Heather's new apartment. Christine had already been there because she was helping with school orientation stuff. It was great for the roomies to see each other again -->

The new diggs

Taking care of little sister

Head into Chicago today for appointment with Dr. Kanner and CUBBIES game!!

Paul, Pat, Heather, & Sara

Journey to Wheaton Tuesday Morning - 9:50 AM

We find ourselves in Paducah, KY after a pretty uneventful drive from Granny and Grandaddy's Monday morning. After arriving at the hotel, we drove down to the Riverfront (Ohio River in background), walked around looking at mostly closed antique shops, and ate at the Toucan Restaurant.

Sara and Heather even posed in the floodgates which protect the city from the mighty Ohio!

Of course, Pat had to interact with the locals - specifically guys from the Lewis and Clark expedition!

On the road to Wheaton today - we were going to stop at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah but we didn't think we could stand the excitement!! ;0}

We love you all - more "Journey to Wheaton - Part Deux" later!!

Paul, Pat, Heather, & Sara

The Journey to Wheaton

I went back and read my little "mini-blog" when Pat and I took Heather to Wheaton College in August, 2006. I thought it would be interesting to re-post that series on the "Johnson Family Blog" -- just for great memories of a very special time in our family.
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Journey to Wheaton --> Wed, August 16, 2006 9:07 am

We find ourselves in Franklin,KY ... just inside Kentucky from the TN line after an uneventful (the best kind!) drive from Dothan last night. We left at ~ 3 PM (supposed to leave @ noon --> pretty good for us!) and arrived here about 10 last night. We are heading on to Wheaton today. We'll go through Louisville,KY .... Indianapolis,IN .... and through South Chicago into Wheaton,IL.

Heather is a little anxious about REALLY going to college but is still excited about moving into the dorms, meeting Christine (her roommate from Colorado), and finally getting started at Wheaton.

Coming through Troy yesterday afternoon, we saw a "Wheaton Worldwide Moving Service" 18-wheeler pointed back toward Dothan .... not really sure what THAT meant (cue in music from the "Twilight Zone").

Thanks for all your continued prayers and love. We'll do a "Wheatie update" tomorrow (move-in day) and, until then, "Jesus take the wheel..."

Because of the King,
Pat, Paul, & Heather
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Journey - Wheaton --> Thu, August 17, 2006 7:11 am

Day#2 - Move-in Day. We finally got to Wheaton last evening at ~ 6:30 after being in a "parking lot" on I-80 just south of Chicago for almost an hour ... welcome to "Chi-Town" at rush hour!!

We visited the campus before going to the hotel - REAL different looking without snow! Lots of flowers, green grass, people (Sports banquet last night). We walked to Fischer Hall (Heather's dorm) where we'll be spending some time moving her stuff into today. Christine and her family should be here this afternoon.

Heather has been "trying" to study for a math placement exam Monday morning amidst all the excitement of moving in. Please keep that in your prayers -- she's a "little" anxious about it (read "little" meaning AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH --- ;-} !

Big Day --> not only moving in but her first night where she'll be living until May. Thoughts and prayers MUCH appreciated today!!

It is so wonderful to have a community .... a family .... that loves us so. It is so wonderful to have a God that makes that possible because of His great love!!

Pat, Paul, & Heather
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Journey - Beginnings --> Fri, August 18, 2006 7:55 am

First night in the dorm.

Everything went smoothly yesterday. LOTS of help from Wheaton students to move Heather's stuff up to her room on the 4th floor!! One young man named Josh single-handedly grabbed the mini-frig and carried it up the three flights of stairs - he said he enjoys moving refrigerators!! He is a senior in Biblical Anthropology and his dad is apparently a professor at Wheaton.

Christine arrived with her dad around 4 PM so we all were moving beds/desks/and bookcases around yesterday afternoon. Their room is already coming into shape, especially since the girls stayed up until 1 AM working on it ... so much for the Math Placement Test --> (I know, I Know, Jennifer T. --- you're telling me to CHILL OUT!!!)

Lots of meetings for all of us today ... first worship session withFreshman and Parents this afternoon in Edman Chapel.

Leaving her in the dorm was OK. She and Christine have bonded quickly, her RA on 4West, Sarah, is a very sweet, helpful young lady, and Heather has begun to meet lots of others on campus. We know God has already prepared this.

In Christ,
Paul & Pat
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Journey - Worship --> Sat, August 19, 2006 7:20 am

Our first worship together with students, parents, and faculty yesterday afternoon in Edman Chapel.

Several thousand Christians together praising God!! We sang "Come, Now is the Time to Worship", "You Have Been Good", "Blessed Be Your Name", and "Step by Step" - a Rich Mullins' song which Heather loves. The orientation committee had also written and performed an original song to reflect the theme of "Glory Unveiled" from II Corinthians 3:17-18 called "Unveiled Faces". Heather's class will learn this song and sing it to the entire school next week as "their" (Class of 2010) class song. At their last chapel as seniors, they again sing this song to all the lower classmen. This has been a Wheaton tradition for decades - an original song that each class carries throughout their 4 years at Wheaton College.

We met TWO anesthesiologists -- one who was the neighbor of Christine's parents in Colorado and also Dr. David Chestnut who was the Chairman at UAB for the last 11 years!! Both families are on the Parents' Council and have students at Wheaton.

It is so different to be at a college where God's will is paramount. Wheaton is a different place. They seem honored to have your most precious asset - your child - placed into their care for four years. Not to destroy what you have spent years teaching them -- but to allow God to mold them into the extraordinary servants that He has planned! What an exciting process to watch happen!!

Praise the God of Heaven!!
Pat & Paul
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Journey - Letting Go --> Sun, August 20, 2006 6:59 am

We ended last night in a worship service with hundreds of other parents in Edman Chapel. Heather, Christine and all their hall mates were in meetings in the dorm till past 11 PM. That was probably a good plan ...

Yesterday morning we all met in Edman and heard discussions about the academic life at Wheaton and the multicultural aspect of the College. Several of the upperclassmen did skits that were hilarious and still illustrated great points about learning with the "head" as well as the"heart" and soul as well as great lessons from "MK's" (Missionary Kids) and TCK's (Third Culture Kids). These students are incredibly imaginative and talented!

Heather was able to talk to several profs in the English and Theater depts. at an Academic Fair. Pat, Heather and I even got to "go out" to eat at a place called DOMO 77 --- kinda "Mikata"-style but not quite as good. We'll have to look further for great sushi!!

We went to the Chapel service yesterday evening with Bruce Will (Christine's dad), and her sibs Aaron, Jonathan, and Ana. God TRULY answers prayers!! Not only did He provide a great roommate for Heather in Christine -- He also provided TWO new big brothers (Aaron and Jonathan are twins and both Juniors @ Wheaton), a new little sister in Ana, and a great new family in Bruce and Linda Will. Pat and I feel as if we've know and loved them for a long time. They are very personable and a very close family that have already allowed Heather and us to be a part. God is TRULY so good.

Jay Everett sent me a story this weekend about Dick Hoyt, a tri-athlete who competes with his son Rick who is disabled. Many of us saw this at Zoe and Youth-in-Action several years ago. It QUICKLY reminded me how deep the Father's love is for us .... we need only to trust .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjPrL3n63yg

After church with Heather, ... Pat and I journey home ...

With Him,
Pat & Paul

This is a wardrobe located at the Marion Wade Center beside Wheaton College. It was hand-crafted by C.S. Lewis' grandfather - even the hinges were handmade. It was at least one of the inspirations for Lewis to write "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Hopefully, I'll be able to make a reproduction of this wardrobe for Heather's graduation from Wheaton in 2010 (Wheaton's 150 anniversary).

PJ